Bills on abortion, open meetings, solar panels up for vote in Georgia Legislature this week

Walter C. Jones

Monday

Feb 27, 2012 at 3:52 AM

ATLANTA - Some of the legislative session's most closely watched bills meet their biggest tests this week as they come up for votes in various committees.

The General Assembly is only in session today, Tuesday and Wednesday this week. That will leave just two days in the following week to pass bills through at least one chamber or have them die at midnight on the 30th legislative day, March 7.

Among the bills taking on their first hurdle in the legislative process this week are measures to restrict abortions at 20 weeks (when a fetus is reported to feel pain), an overhaul of the state's laws on open records and meetings, and Gov. Nathan Deal's Competitiveness Initiative. Another bill coming up for a committee vote would end the prohibition on third-party financing of solar panels.

Bills that have already advanced from subcommittees to full committees for their second vote include the reporting of drug arrests to the state welfare agency to trigger a drug test that could lead to suspension of welfare benefits if positive.

Among bills expected to come to the full House is the open records/meetings revision and the competitiveness measure that expands job-creation tax credits to small businesses. On the Senate floor this week is a bill strengthening regulation of scrap-metal sales that attempts to catch thieves, and the charter-school constitutional amendment.

Asked if there were enough votes in the Senate for the two-thirds needed to pass a constitutional amendment, Senate Republican leader Chip Rogers said, "I think we're close."

Changes made in the House to get ample support for passage also helped pick up support in the Senate, he said. And even though the Senate has a less concentrated leadership approach than the House, where rewards and punishment are promised, he remained optimistic.

"We have always made the case that we want people to vote based on the merits of the bill. I think we can get them with the power of persuasion," Rogers said.

Groups planning to make a splash at the Capitol include animal lovers who plan to rally today in support of a bill encouraging adoption of stray dogs and cats.

On the governor's schedule is a kickoff lunch for Complete College Georgia at the Governor's Mansion on Tuesday and a ceremony to plant a cherry tree there Thursday. Friday, he speaks to the Georgia Tech Foundation.

walter.jones@morris.com, (404) 589-8424

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